Target practice apparatus



Sept. 7, 1948. l. H. wlLsEY A 2,449,030

l TARGET PRACTICE APPARATUS Filed March 9, 1942 11 sheets-sheet 1 vSept. 7, 1948. l. H. wlLsEY I TAGET PRACTICE APPARATUS ll Sheets-Sheet 2Filed March 9, 1942 Sept. 7, 1948. l. H. wlLsEY 2,449,030

TARGET PRACTICE APPARATUS Filed March 9, 1942 1l Sheets-Sheet 3 "422i/25 I. 'A

Sept. 7, 1948.

l. H. WILSEY v TARGET PRACTICE APPARATUS Filed March 9, 1942 Sept. 7,1948. 1. H.'wu sEY 2,449,030

TARGET PRACTICE APPARATUS Filed llaI'Ch 9, 1942 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 l JIlI 60 ilu- Ji Sept. 7, 1948. l. H. wlLsEY 2,449,030

" TARGET PRACTICE APPARATUS Filed March 9, 1942 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 Sept.7, 1948. l. H. wlLsEY 2,449,030

y TARGET PRACTICE APPARATUS Filed March 9, 1942 1 1 sheets-sheet s Sept.7, 1948. 1. H. wlLsEY 2,449,030

TARGET PRACTICE APPARATUS 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed March 9, 1942 Sept- 7,1948- l. H. wlLsEY 2,449,030

TARGET PRACTICE APPARATUS Filed March 9, 1942 1l Sheets-Sheet 10-scANmua LAMP 247 252 'rE/vs LA Ps PRoJEcTorz L A M P HIT $16.4

COIN SLIDE SWITCHES Sept. 7, 1948. 1. H. wlLsEY 2,449,030

TARGET PRACTICE APPARATUS Filed March 9, 1942 1l Sheets-Sheet 11Aflame/alor fm/ I@ a@ jlowkeys.

Patented Sept. 7, 1948 TARGET PRACTICE APPARATUS Irven H. Wilsey,Chicago, Ill.; Ruth Ann Wilsey executrix of said Irven H. Wilsey,deceased Application March 9, 1942, Serial No. 433,961

3 claims. 1

The present invention pertains to target practice apparatus and issuitable for use either in technical gunnery training or as an amusementdevice.

One general object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus inwhich a target image is presented with extreme realism, both as toappearance and movement, and in such manner that conditions of actualaiming and firing are simulated with a high degree of exactitude, a1-though by means of a compact and portable apparatus of such characterthat no live ammunition is required.

More particularly it is an object f the invention to provide anapparatus of the type indicated in which a target image or scene isprojected on a screen from a moving picture nlm, and in which theapparatus is of such character that al1 View of the surroundings isexcluded from the operators range of vision when he is watching thetarget scene on the screen, wherefore even thoughy the latter is smalland part of a very compact projection apparatus, the illusion of normalor life size for the objects shown on the screen is created.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus embodying a novel targetimage arrangement in which the sense of realism is enhanced by utilizingstereopticon or so-called three-dimension images projected from a motionpicture film for portraying the target scene.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the type described in whicha full size gun or other such aimable device can be manipulated by theoperator and a simulated sight is arranged to move in accordance withsuch' manipulation while in position to be viewed in conjunction with atarget scene projected on a screen whereby the operator` is afforded theillusion that the simulated sight which he sees in conjunction with thetarget scene is actually that of the full sized gun or other aimabledevice which he is manipulating.

Another object is to provide a target apparatus, in which a target imageis projected on a screen from a moving picture film, a novel arrangementfor utilizing a control track on the film itself to control the scoringof hits by a user who is simulating ring of a weapon at the targetimage.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the type set forth' inwhich a target image is projected on a screen from a moving picture lmand in which a novel arrangement is provided for registering hitsjscored by the proper manipulation of a gun or other aiming devicerelative to the projected image, through the provision of an indicatoractuated under the control of the registration of a light source and anaperture in an opaque mask on the lm, the location of the aperture beingcorrelated in position with that of the target image on the lm and themask and light source being arranged to be brought into registration bymanipulation of the gun or other aiming apparatus.

Still another object is to provide a high speed scoring mechanismparticularly suited for use with a moving-picture-projected target imageclass of target practice apparatus,

The invention alsoresides in various structural improvements and novelcorrelations and combinations of the parts by means of which aselfcontained, sturdy and substantially fool-proof apparatus of thegeneral type indicated may be provided at lovv cost.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe following description proceeds, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of a target practice apparatus embodyingthe present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. l,

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through the apparatustaken substantially along the line 4-4 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a iragmentatry detail view of the portion of the motionpicture film included in the apparatus for projecting a target scene tobe viewed by the user.

Fig, 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken substantiallyalong the the line 6-6 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line l-l in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 8 8 in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view takensubstantially along the line 9 9 in Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View taken substantiallyalong the line lli-l0 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line H-H in Fig. 4.

Fig. l2 is a detail sectional view of the nlm take-up mechanism takensubstantiallyy along the line |2-I2 in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the linel3--l3 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged detail transverse sectional view takensubstantially along the line M-Iil 4in Fig. 11.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 15-15 inFig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along theline IG-l in Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view through the scoring mechanism,being taken substantially along the line l'l-l l in Fig. 2.

Fig. 1S is a fragmentary rear :elevation:'oi'.tlie scoring mechanismwith the casing cover removed.

Fig. 19 is -a partial horizontal .section'allvievfj fpo'i'nt contractorofthe tens counterincluded in the scoring mechanism.

"'-Fig "22 lis a det-ail'view of asecond'ratchettype actuator.' inthecase for the' tens counter, inV eluded 'in `the scoring lmechanism.

Fig." '23 4is a "detail 'sectional View taken substantially along theline 23--23 of Fig'. 17.

Fig. 24 is a detail sectional view'taken substanti'ally alongthelinell-Zlt lin Fig. 1S, showing vthe "rotary 'multi-point contactorof the Aunits "C'Ollntelh Fig. 25 is a detailsectional'vi'ewtaken'substan- "tiallyalongthe line '25e-25 fin' Fig.'18, showing "the trip relay'for "stopping thev machine.

HVVFig. `2261s a'wiringVV diagram of the apparatus. Fig."27 .is 'a`fragmentary plan view of a modinedform oi moving picture"l-11m'adapte-dforms@ in an apparatus embodying th'epresent invention.

yFi`gs2'8am1v 29A are,`"respectively, side and plan `views, 'th'eformerbeingjpartially 'ini section, of -a 'light-.controlapparatus adaptedtoruse in 'conjunction With `the film shownln Fig;l 27.

".Fig '30 is a detailsec'tio'nal lView 'taken substan- "tallyalongltheline .235;30 in Fig.`29.

-The 'present invention has been `exemplified herein (see Fig. 1) asembodied iin a form of apparatus particularly suited'for use asanamusement device, but it will-abe appreciated by those skilled/in theart 'thatthe `invention is also applicable to purely technical gunnerypractice apparatus. Consequently, eventhough a .certain 'particularembodiment ofthe .invention-'has .been 'shown 'and described in some.detailjthereis .no 'intention to therebylimit the invention to.. suchembodiment, but, on the .other hand, I .intend Ito cover .allmodificationsand alternative Vinventions falling within the spirit andsc'opefofrthe invention as expressed in the appendedclaims.

General fcrmngementand 1 'mode lof 1 operation .of

apparatus lnthe `exemple-tryapp'aratusi (see Figs. 1 'and 2)'the'arrangement is "such "that an ioperator or user, indicated'at 1li),stands in front .of the 'apparatus yand holds agun I withthe 'stockpressed "against his Yshoulder in the'usual 'manner for iir-"ing,"vvhile 'looking' through 'eyepieces 112, '43 of a viewerdesignated generally as M. Through the Veye p-ieces he sees-a targetscene projected on a' -screen '45 (Fig. 4) by asuitable motion pictureprojection apparatus 135 described below. Also jvisible through theviewer, in conjunction lwith -ith-e projected target scene, isa-simulated sighting mechanism in the form ofla'replicadl of-the "entinstance a red lamp t9 (Fig. ll) whose glow .i `is visible through theeye pieces 42, 123. The details of the circuit will appear below. Thehits :thus lmade .are ltotalized and the total continu- "ously indicatedby a suitable scoring mechanism in a Vcasing-5|) (Figs. 1 and 2).

Of particular note is the novel arrangement utilized for detectingproper aiming of the gun. In general, the latter arrangement utilizesone or 'more control tracks on the moving picturelm, such. controltracks. being `arranged to 'coactfwith 'a mechanism controlled bymovement ofzthegun Sith'e sighting mechanism 4l is accurately aimed at'the vprojected ytarget image, all as-detailed herematter.

. As tothe general layout of the parts initheex'- .-emplaryapparatus, it'will be vobserved upon lrefer- "ence to Figs. 1 `to Llthat a compa-ct,`generally :rec-

tangular vcasing 5l is pivoted between-upright posts 52 on trunnions 53for movement about a .horizontal axis. The front end of lthis ,casing is.recessed :as indicatediat 54 in Fig. '3.1so thatxthe tuser'can `advancehis .head finto the recess and -..thus look directly into the eye pieces162, 113 of the viewer IM. This viewer comprises Van apertured .endplate orfmask`55 (Figs. 2 and 4) :against which 'theteye pieces areclamped by an innerrplatei55 (Fig.18).1theiend plate'55 being ixedinztheyaper- .'tured :frontend ofthe casing '5 I.

Limitation of the swinging .movement iothe .casing 5| about its/pivotsorxtrunnions; 53 vis afforded by stop-projections 55, which. are op-.posed to the uprights 52 and have rubber bumpers .156 'adapted to abutagainst the uprights (Fig. r4).

The :resultant limited swinging movement of the '.asin'gfSl which isthus permitted makesit .pos-

sible itoadjust the position ofthe casing. to accommodate the level ofthe eye pieces 4122,113 .to-:the

heightfof any particulartuser. `Inorder to lyield- 'ably retain. thecasing 5l in a normal :horizontal position; va :tension spring 51.(Figs. 1, and 4)-is '.utilize'd. .':Onefend of'thisspring :51iszanchored 'fwithin Ythe Ycasing .5l tandr'the Yotheriend :is .an-

:choredtofan1upstanding farm 58 Iixed .toasleeve 588.-,- whichis in turntelescoped'overath'e trunnion '.53 .and 'xed .rigidlyto the adjacentiupright 52.

.'.The1casingf50 Vof .the .scoring vmechanism is :'mounted onfoursuitable 1egs`59 (Figs. :l :and l2) and the uprights52, whichfcarry thecasing 5l,

' fare'iinturn mounted on ythe scoringgmechanisrn .Progectionfcnd.viewing. apparatus arious suitable target scenes may befproject'ed Hontothe screen vl5 yfrom lthe -projector -'4'B. f For example, a movingpicture of an Iairplane Iperformingfcombat or lbombing maneuversimay beused, or lasanother'exampley the scene `may bein "a'jung'lewithwildanimals prowling about' "-Ihe l*variety ofv suitable subjectsisobviously-nearly un- `limited and can be changed torenewv andstimulateinterest simply-by inserting a new film.

In order to afford a high degree of realism for the user of theapparatus, a stereopticon type of moving picture apparatus is preferablyused. For this purpose a moving picture lilm 60 (Fig. 5) is utilizedwhich has on it a target track in the form of successive pairs of framesSIL, SIR, each pair of frames bearing similar images taken at opticangles to each other in the usual manner for stereopticon or threedimensional photography. The images on each successive pair of framesare, in the present instance, projected onto the screen 45simultaneously but are viewed separately by the users two eyes, theimage from the left frame SIL being viewed by the left eye and the imagefrom the right frame SIR being viewed by the right eye. To assure properseparate viewing of the two images projected simultaneously on thescreen, a separator or septum 62 (Fig. 4) is arranged to divide thefield of vision, being located on the center line between the two eyepieces 42, 43. These latter eye pieces are magnifying lenses of the typecommonly used in stereopticon viewers.

The screen 45, heretofore noted, is of the familiar translucent orground glass type, onto which an image is thrown from a projectorlocated on one side of the screen, the image being viewed from theopposite side of the screen. In the present instance the screen 45 ismounted in suitable grooves 63 (Figs. 4, 6 and 7) formed in the innersurfaces of a U-shaped supporting bracket 64 having its bottom wallfixed to the bottom wall of the casing 5| and with its side armsprojecting upwardly.

On the side of this bracket 84 which is adjacent the viewer 44, is xed ametal plate 65 of generally rectangular form (see Figs. 4 and 9) havingtwo rectangular apertures BGL and BSR therein. These apertures serverespectively to frame the left and rghthand images projected on thescreen 45, and the separator 62 is fixed to the portion of the plate 65located between these two apertures.

On the side of the screen 45, which is opposite the viewer 44, a lighthousing 57 (Figs. 4 .and 11) ytapers toward the projection apparatus 4B.This light housing Si is of truncated pyramidal form and is mountedwithin the casing 5| by brackets B8.

Various forrrs of projector and rewind mechanisms suitable for handlingthe moving picture film 60 are known in the art. In the illustrativearrangement the projection apparatus 46 comprises a lm guide or gatemade up of a pair of opposed plates 59 and 10 (Fig. l5) xed to anupright plate or bracket 7| secured within the main housing 5|. The film60 moves downwardly (as viewed in Fig. l1) between the opposed faces ofthe guide plates E9, 'I0 with a step-by-step motion imparted to it by :apull-down device 'I2 engageable with sprocket holes 73 inthe marginaledges of the film (see Fig. 5 for sprocket holes). The .pull-down device12 is shown in Fig. 11 as being .in the form of an elongated leverhaving teeth `or claws on its forward end and pivoted at an intermediatepoint on a pivot pin 13 carried by the bracket 1|. The rear end of thepulldown device is engaged with a cam (not shown) on a shaft 14 so thatthe pull-down device is oscillated in timed relation with the rotationof this shaft. The shaft 'I4 extends transversely through the uprightbracket 1|, being journaled in it, and is driven by an electric motor'l5 (Figs. 4 and The motor 'l5 is connected by an endless belt 1-5, ledover a pulley 'I1 on the motor shaft,

and -a pulley I8 on a second transverse shaft 10' to the latter shaft.On this shaft '|9 is fixed a pinion 80 meshing with a gear 8| xed on theshaft 14.

The portions of the lm 00 leading, respectively, to and from the lm gateplates 69, 10 are engaged with respective opposite sides of a feedsprocket 82 (Fig. 11) 4being held in position for engagement ofthesprocket teeth with the sprocket holes on the film by guides 83. Thesprocket B2 is fixed to the shaft '|4 and Ithus advances the lm in timedrelation with the advancing movement imparted thereto by the pull-downdevice '12, which, as noted above, is also actuated from the shaft 14.

As tothe optical system of the projector, light is projected through thesuccessive pairs of frames on the film E0 as it passes between the nlmgate plates 09, 10 from a projection lamp 84 (Figs. 4 and 14) in a lamphousing 85. The light emitted from the projection lamp 84 passes througha condensing lens 85 in the side of the lamp housing (Figs. 14 .to 16),thence through apertures 8'? in the pulley 18 which constitutes arevolving shutter, through an aperture 89 in the supporting bracket 1|and onto Ia mirror 00 by which it is reflected to pass through the lm 00and thence through a projection lens 9| by which it is directed throughlthe light housing (i7 onto the screen 45. The projection lens 9| has aconventional form of adjustable mounting, being carried in the end of asleeve 92, which is slidably received within a second sleeve or barrel93 fixed to a tubular projection 93a on the nlm guide plate '|0 (Fig.16). The mirror 90 is set at an angle of 45 degrees -to the axis of thebeam of light falling upon it from the condensing lens 36, the mirrorbeing carried on a support Ila iixed to the upright bracket 1|. The axisof the beam of light passing from the projection lamp 84 through thelenses and film is indicated by the dot-dash line A in Fig. 16.

A take-up mechanism of the continuous rewind type is provided herein forthe moving picture lm 50, being design-ated generally as e4 (Figs. 4,l0, 11 and l2) In this mechanism 94 the lm is wound in helicalconfiguration, being unwound from the center of the helix andsimultaneously wound onto the exterior of the helix. For this purposethe mechanism comprises a disk 95 (Fig.

` 12) journaled on an upright post 90 and revolved by means of a pulley91 fixed to the lower side of the disk. An endless belt 9B (Fig. 11) isled over the pulley 97 and also over guide pulleys 09, I 00 to a drivepulley 0| on the motor driven shaft '14. Upon reference to Figs. 4 andl2 it will be seen that the helix of lm E0 rests on the upper face ofthe revolving disk 95, being pressed down with the lower edge of thefilm .in frictional engagement with the face of the disk by a roller |02which is journaled on a pin |03 projecting laterally from the post '06.The portion of the film which is continuously unwound from the innerportion of the helix of the lm on the disk is led over an inclined guideroller |04, carried by a bracket |05 (Figs. 4, 11 and '12), and thenceover a pulley |05 and into engagement with the upper side of the feedsprocket 82. Similarly, the portion of the lm 50 being fed into thehelix on the disk 95 is led directly from the lower side of the feedsprocket Si. to lthe exterior of the helix. The disk 95 is arranged torevolve at a speed such that the portion thereof underlying the innerlayer of the helix matches the speedof unwinding of the lm from thehelix.

Consequently, the portion ofthe diskg 95 underlying the outer layers, ofthe heliX'revolves at a greater speed than `the Vlinear speed ofthe-film directly in contact with it so that the disk, which is insliding frictional engagement with the edge of .the film tends to pullthis vportion of the film and keeps the helix wound fairly tightly.

The pulley or roller |06 mentioned above is utilized, in conjunctionwith an opposed roller |91 (Fig. 11) as a part of the control forstopping the projector drive motor 15. It will be observed that theroller |06 is'revolubly mounted on a bracket IGS xed to the uprightbracket II and has edge flanges between which the film 60 is received,The coasting roller III'I is, on the other hand, rotatably Ymounted ontheouter end of an arm Iii@ pivoted onfthe endofA a bracket H6 fixed onthe upright bracket 'I|, the rollers I and I'l being suitably insulatedfrom their respective supports. A torsion spring lllurges the arm |09 topress the roller |01 against the center of the portion of filmpassingover the roller It. Both the rollers and |01 are made of electricallyconductive vmetal but are normally retained out of contact with eachother by the portion of film passing therebetween and which isinsulating in character. In thelm GEI, however, a series of aperturesIIZ (Figs. 5 and 11) are provided at suitable intervals along the lengthof the lm so that when vthese yapertures II'2 arrive beween the rollers|06, IEI'I contact between the latter is permitted. In this way anelectric circuit can be completed between the rollers, and such acircuit is utilized, in a manner hereinafter described, tostop theprojector drive motor 'I5 through theaction of a cut-off relay 'Z havingnormally opencontacts ZUIIH- (see Fig. 26 for relay). It will thusbeseen that by locating such groups of apertures |I2 at suitableintervals along the nlm it can be stopped at corresponding, points, orin other Words, after a predetermined seriesof pictures have been shownon the screen.

Gun and coordindtedsimulated sight Any desired form ofoperator-manipulable aiming mechanism may be utilized, a gun.exemplified by the gun 4| heretofore noted (Fig. 1), having been chosenfor illustration here as suited to the present form of installation. Thegun 4| may be an actual riile, with the firing mechanism removed forsafety, and a switch I|3 installed therein and arranged to be closedwhenever the trigger i3 is pulled by the user. It Will be vvobservedthat the trigger 48 is L-shaped, being pivcted at the juncture of itstwo arms,and arranged with one arm overlying a nger ofthe normally openswitch I I3 so that when the trigger is pulled this switch finger willbe depressed and the contacts of the switch thus closed.

Thetrigger-operated rswitch A||3 operates in conjunction with aprcjectorshot switch |45 (Fig. 26) to control a trigger-relay |46, thelatter having'normally'lcpen contacts |46ad and 14th. Theprojector shotswitch |45 is provided for a purpose which will vhereinafter appear andcomprises (see Figs. 10 and 11 as well as Fig. 26) a pair-of normallyopen contacts |4511, arranged to be closed by a pivoted arm |45b whenthe latter is struck by successiveones of projections or pins |45c onthe gear 8|. These projections are so spaced that the switch isvclosedoncefor each two pairs of images projected fromv the lfilm -BEL When thetrigger switch ||3is held closed, the periodic closure of switch |45thus causes the trigger relay to be energized with the same Y entirearea ofthe target scene.

`wall thereof.

periodicity. The resultant intermittent l,closure of the relay vcontacts |45b causes: anA intermittentenergization of ashotvsounder.l44, thelat ter having anarmaturewhich, when attracted,

thumps against the side ,wallof the-casing-5| insimulationof the soundofayshot. The other contacts |46a ofthe trigger relay l|46 partially`rcomplete@J fhit indicator circuit Aas hereinafter detailed.

Thesupport for thegun 4| is .such that the user vcanhold thegunstocklaganst hisshoulder in the usual manner. and swing the gun bothlatthe gun stock issuspended by a vertical shaft. I4 (Fig. 6), journaledforrotation in asleeve |15. The sleeve, I I5 isvfixedto the casing5landextends through the front portion ofthe vbottom Yoke-shaped heads I|6,and |II, fixed,A respectively,.to the upperand .lowerle'rids of theshaft IILI, prevent endwise movement of the shaft within the sleeve H5.The. lower yokeshaped head II'I is pivotally connected to the lgun stockbyapin I I8 Y.which passes through a lugIISaon a-plate IIS, `whichisinset within and xed .tothe gunstock. The. gun 4I `can thus beswiveled laterally `about the vverticall axisof Athe shaft |24 and alsobe swung verticallyfabcilt ,the `axis of thetransversepin IIS.

drop downen this-stirrup. Prefer-ably, the stirrup iscovered with.rubber so that the gunwill not bei-injured 4by strikingagainst it. ,Thestirrup is. ofsuchdimensions as to permit such movement of. the gunlasis required to, i-n effect, fscan the Of-course the user cannot.actually see the gun il when he is looking into the viewer lIflfand so,in order to simulate the sama-the gun replica 47, heretoforey noted, isutilized. -Upon reference t0 Fig. 1 it will be seenthat the replica orsimulated sighting mechanism 47 comprises an elongated tapered membergenerally Vresembling the gun barrel although more sharply tapered inorder to duplicate the effect 0f foreshortening which a person has inloolring'down the top of a gun barrel. On the frontend of the replica isa replica 4ta of theiront-sight of the gun. The gun barrel replica I'Iis of reduced diameter at 47h sc as -to permit rmaximum swinging of thesar-ne withoutinterfering with the screen mask E5.

Thegun replica 41 isr mounted for bothhorlzcntal and vertical swingingmovement about a point C indicated in Fig. 1, which is substantiallycoincident with they optic center of `theusers right eye as he peersthrough the eyepieces. It willbe noted thatgthe-gun-replica 41; isplaced in front ofthe rightv eyepiece ,43, rather than the left eyepiece 42, since persons commonly use the right eye forsighting'a gun.,With the simulated sighting device or gun replica 4'I thus arranged tobe swiveled about the optic center of the users sighting eye, theillusion is complete that what he sees is the actual gun 4| that he isholdingto his shoulder.

In order to support the gun replica 4l forv movement about the center C,it isxed on a supporting plate I2I (Fig.` 7) which is slidable lon the.surface .of `an underlyingfplate |22. `This latter plate.|22 has a pairofarcuate slots. |23 therein,

:so fashioned that their center of curvature is at the center C.Retaining bolts |24 pass through the slots |23 and thus guide the plate|2| for latferal movement in a path conforming to the curva- 'ture ofthe slots |23. The underlying plate |22 :is in turn xed to a pair ofsupporting arms |25 :arranged to swing vertically on pins |26. The `axisof movement oi the arms |25, about the pins |26, also passes through thecenter C. The gun replica 4l can thus be shifted either laterally orvertically about the center C. A tension spring |21, anchored at itsopposite ends to the casing 5| and to the supporting plate |22. holdsthe later yieldably in a generally horizontal position (see Figs. 6 and'7).

A linkage mechanism is provided for interconnecting the actual gun 4|and the replica 41 so that the two will always move in unison. Thislinkage mechanism comprises (see Fig. 6) a link 128 pivoted at one endto the yoke-shaped head l 6 on the gun-supporting rod |4. Intermediateits ends, the link |23 is connected by a tubular link |29 with a pivotpin |39 on the gun stock at :a point displaced forwardly of the pivotpin H8. The upright tubular link |29 passes through an :arcuate slot |3|at the bottom of the casing 5|. It will thus be seen that the link |28will follow both the horizontal and vertical movements of the gun 4|.

The horizontal movements of the link |28 are transmitted to the gunreplica 41 through an elongated link |32 (Fig. 4) pivoted on the bottoinwall of the casing 5| for horiozntal move- :nient by a pin IBS. Theopposite end of the link v|32 has an upstanding projection |32a thereonwhich is yieldably held in contact with one side 'of the link |28 by atension spring |34. Rising from the gun replicas supporting plate |22 isa bracket |35 (Fig. 8) having pivoted on it a link |36. The lower end ofthis link bears against an upright plate |31 xed to the link |32 (seealso .'Figs. 6 and '1). A transverse link |38 connects the gun replica41 and the lower end of the link |36, being pivotally connected at itsrespective lopposite ends to them. A tension spring |39, anchored at itsopposite ends to the supporting plate |22 and to the gun replica 41,normally urges the gun replica to the left as viewed in Fig. 8. It willthus be seen that as the gun-actuated link |23 is swung toward the link|32 that the latter will be similarly shifted, whereupon the yaction ofthe spring |33 will cause the link |33 vto follow the link |32, and thelink |38 causes the gun replica 41 to also follow this movement.

imilarly, when the gun-actuated link |28 swings in the oppositedirection, the spring |34 causes the link |32 to follow it, whereuponthe link |36 is thrust inward by the link |32 and it in turn thrusts thelink |38 endwise so that the gun replica 41 is swung accordingly. It isto be observed that the springs and links are related as described sothat there is, in effect, a yieldable connection between the gun and gunreplica, wherefore the latter is protected from breakage or damage uponviolent swinging of the gun 4| by an ill-humorecl user.

A similar linkage and spring arrangement is used to transmit thevertical moti-ons of the gunactuated link |28 to the gun replica 41.Thus, upon reference to Fig. 4 it will be observed that the laterallyprojecting end |4ila of an elongated link |46 overlies the gun-actuatedlink |28, the link |40 being yieldably urged into engagement with thelink |28 by a tension spring |4|. The link |46 'is pivoted for verticalmovement by pivot pin |42 at its forward end. The link |43 is L-shapedin cross section (see Fig. 8) and the laterally projecting arm |42,rigid with the adjacent supporting arm |25 of the plate |22, underliesthe horizontal ilange on the link |40. Thus, as the link |40 swingsdownward it presses down on the projection |42 and thereby swings thesupporting mechanism for the gun replica 41 downward. Similarly, whenthe link |40 swings upward the spring |21 causes the gun replicasupporting mechanism to follow it.

Hit indicating mechanism In order to simulate actual gunnery conditions,the present apparatus is so organized that a hit indicator will beactuated only when the operator pulls the gun trigger 48 at an instantwhen the gun replica 41 is accurately aimed at a target image projectedon the screen 45. In order to render the simultaneous proper performanceof both of those a-cts, a condition precedent to actuation of theindicator, two switches are arranged in series relation in a scoringcircuit so that both must be closed simultaneously to complete suchcircuit. One of these switches comprises the contacts |46il of a triggerrelay |46 (see wiring -diagram in Fig. 26) controlled by the triggerswitch ||3, and the other comprises the contacts |434 of a relay |43(Figs. 13 and 26) which, in a manner hereinafter set forth, is energizedto close its contacts when the gun replica 41 is accurately pointed atthe projected target image. In the illustrative apparatus the indicatoris shown as the lamp 49, which floods the screen 45 with a red glow whenlighted upon the scoring of a hit. Simultaneous closure of the relaycontacts |4|a and |435, in the scoring circuit noted above, serves toenergize a step-up relay I1!) and its contacts |104, in turn close anenergizing circuit for the indicator lamp 49.

The general scheme followed herein for actuating the relay |43 inresponse to pro-per sighting of the gun replica is to provide a controltrack or tracks on the motion picture lm itself and which coact withmechanism controlled by the movement of the gun replica to energize anelectric circuit when the replica is accurately aimed at the targetimage. In lthe present instance such circuit energization is effected byadmitting light to a Iphototube or photoelectric cell |41 (Figs. 4, 14and 26) to render the latter conductive, the current through thephototube being amplied by a Vacuum tube type amplifier |43 ofconventional and well-known form, and the output of the amplier beingutilized to energize the relay |43.

To govern the admission of light to the phototube |41 for the purposenoted, the control track or tracks on the moving picture film arecomprised of a series oi opaque masks with lightpassage aperturestherein, correlated in position on the masks with the position of thetarget image on the successive frames of the lm. Coacting with theseapertured masks is a mechanism, moved in unison with the gun replica,for controlling the entry of light through the mask apertures. Thislatter mechanism is positioned to cause entry of light through thecontrol track mask aperture and onto the phototube, vOnly when the gunreplica 41 is accurately aimed at the projected target image.

One diliiculty which immediately arises in this system, as so faroutlined, is that the target image has both a lateral and verticaldisplacement on the mlm frame from any reference point Wlll may bfichosen. This means that the locajected moving picture target.Particularly to be observed in this connection is the fact that althoughthe gun 4| is comparatively free for manipulation by the operator andmay be of full size, that the moving picture projection apparatus andscreen as well as the associated hit detection apparatus are all housedin a single casing of fairly small size. Thorough protection is thusafforded the more delicate parts, and full portability is aIorded.

Coin controlled starting system Since the particular form of apparatusillustrated is intended primarily as an amusement device, it has beenprovided with a suitable coin controlled mechanism for starting it. Acoin slide |88 of conventional form (Figs. 1, 17, 19 and 23) is arrangedto slide endwise in the usual tubular metal housing IBI, fixed on thefront of the casing 58 by an escutcheon plate |82. A coin is placed inthe opening |83 in this slide (Fig. 19) and as the slide is thrustinward the coin frees a detent (not shown) in the usual manner for suchslides, so as to permit the full inward travel of the slide |88, thecoin finally falling through an aperture |84 (Fig. 23) in the bottom ofthe metal housing I8I and thence into a suitable coin receiver (notshown). A tension spring |85 (Fig. 17) normally urges the coin slide |88to its outer position.

In brief, the full inward movement of the coin slide |88, permitted whenit carries a coin, is utilized to start the projector drive motor 15,condition the scoring circuit for operation, and reset to zero the scorecounter mechanism in the casing 58.

A lockout mechanism is provided for disabling the coin slide |88 fromperforming its usual starting functions when the coin is inserted duringa time when the machine is disconnected from a suitable source ofcurrent. This lockout mechanism comprises a lockout solenoid |85 (Fig.23) having a movable armature |81 which is normally urged by tensionspring |88 to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 23. Uponenergization of the solenoid |85 the armature |81 is pulled into thefull line position shown in Fig. 23. When the armature |81 is in thelatter position it is out of the path of the downwardly projecting nose|89 of a slide |98, but when the armature I 81 is in the dotted lineposition shown in Fig. 23 it blocks forward movement of the slide |98.This latter slide |98 forms, in eiTect, an extension of the inner end ofthe coin slide |88, although it is yieldably connected to the actualcoin slide so that the latter may be thrust inward without breaking anyof the parts, even when the inner slide |98 is locked against movement.

In order to form a yieldable connection, of the character indicatedabove, between the coin slide |80 and the inner slide |98, these twoslides are disposed in superposed relation as shown in Figs. 17 and 23and an intermediate slide I 9| placed between them. The intermediateslide ISI has a depending projection |92 on its inner end which iidisposed in the path of the coin slide |88, whereby the slide I9I willbe carried inward with the coin slide. A tension spring I 93, anchoredat its opposite ends to a pin |84 on the intermediate slide I9I and to ascrew |95 on the inner slide |98, forms a yieldable connection betweenthe slides |98 and I9I. It will be observed in Fig, 23 that the screw|95 passes through an elongated slot I 9|a in the intermediate slideI9I. Therefore when the slide |88 is unlocked, inward movement of theintermediate slide 9| by the coin slide |88 will also thrust the slide|98 inward. In the event, however, that the slide |98 is locked againstmovement, the slides |88 and I 9| will move inward, but will simplystretch the spring I 93 and no movement of the inner slide |98 willresult. Tension spring |89 yieldably urges the inner slide I 98 to itsretracted position. Guide brackets I 91 and |98 restrain the slides |98and ISI against lateral movement and guide them for their desiredendwise movement.

When the slide |98 is thrust inward it performs two functions, namely,to reset a trip relay 28| (Figs. 17, 18 and 25), and to mechanicallyreset one of the counters of the scoring mechanism. rEhe latter functionwill be described in connection with the subsequent description of thescoring mechanism itself. As to the resetting of the trip relay 28|, itwill be observed, upon reference to Fig. 25, that the trip relaycomprises a solenoid 282, which is arranged, upon energization, toattract an armature 283. rThis armature is normally urged to the upwardposition shown by Fig. 25 by a tensio-n spring 284. The armature 283passes through an aperture 285 in a pivotally mounted arm 298, such armbeing urged to move in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 25) by atension spring 281. An offset shoulder 288 in the armature 283 engagesthe arm 285 when the parts are disposed as shown in Fig. 25, and thusholds the arm 288 in the position shown and with the spring 291tensioned. Upon attraction of the armature 283 by the solenoid 282, thearm 286 is freed to swing in a clockwise direction and will remainpulled over to the right (as Viewed in Fig, 25) until it is mechanicallythrust back into the latched position shown in such ligure. In otherwords, after the arm 288 has once been unlatched by attraction of thearmature, any subsequent reenergization of the solenoid 282 will beineffective to relatch the arm.

The swinging arm 28S of the trip relay 253| serves to operate two pairsof switch contacts 289, 2H! and 2II, 2I2 (Fig. 25). The contacts 289 and2|| are carried on stationary spring ngers 2I3 and 2M, respectively,while the movable contacts 2Iil, 2I2 are carried on laterally flexiblespring fingers 255, 2 I5 joined by the transverse pin 2 I1. A projection2 I8 on the arm 286 has a lug 2|9 on its inner end which is engageablewith the spring finger 2HE. Vhen the arm 288 is in its latched positionshown in Fig. 25, the spring fingers 2 I5, 2 I8 occupy their positionshown and in which the two pairs of switch contacts are closed. However,when the arm 288 is unlatched and pulled to the right by its tensionspring 281, the spring lingers 2I5 and 2I8 are also pulled to the rightand both pairs of contacts are opened.

Relatching of the trip relay 28| is accomplished by the slide |98through the medium of a swinging lever 228 (Figs. 1'?, 18 and 25). Thelever 228 is pivoted intermediate its ends on a pin 522i and-has aprojection 222 on its lower end which is disposed in the path of theprojection |89 on the innerend of the slide I 98. Thus, as the slide |98is moved inward. by the coin slide |88, the lever 228 is swungcounterclock-wise (as viewed in Fig. 1'7) and engages a lateralprojection on the arm 286 of the trip relay (Fig. 18), there-- bythrusting the arm 288 into its latched position.

Operation of the coin slide |88 serves not only to reset the trip relay28| as described above, but in addition vserves to actuate a set ofthree switches included in the control circuits of the apparatus. U'pon:reference to Fig. .23, be observed that these'three switches; comprise,respectively, three' pairsr of contactsf22ll, 225; 222, 221; and'2221;'v ally carriedA by suitable spring-fingers insulated fromeachother. As.

appears in Fig'.-23, the sets of contacts 222', 225 and" 222, 222'arenormally closed, while the middle pair of contacts 222,v 221r isnormallyl open.

This relationship is effected by `providing;eXten- 222 open. From thisit willv be seen that the vthree switches in question occupy theposition shown in Fig. 23 both.during` the operation of the-machine andwhile it is idle, and' that they are shifted to the alternativepositionsdescribed simply. duringy the short interval-that the. coin slide |82 isthrust inward forI startingvr the machine. The-functionsof` thesethreeswitches in. conditioning the. apparatus. for operationwillvbehereinafter detailed.

Scoring -mechanism Automatic scoring mechanismis' provided in theAillustrative machine for registering conti-nuously the number of hitsmade. After a predetermined length of film has 'been run 01T, theprojector 8d is stopped, as heretofore described, and at the same timethe scoring mechanism is disabled against further operation. Thereafter,when the projector is restarted byinsertion'of another coin in themachine, the scoring mechanism-'is automatically reset to zero andconditioned for operation. The presently disclosed scoring mechanism isparticularly suited for use with a shooting aparatus such as thatdescribed in that it is capable of operation at the high speed necessaryunder conditions of rapid re for the gun.

Upon reference to Fig. 2,. it will be 'seen that a scoreboard isprovided on the upper face of the casing' 5i) and which comprises atranslucent glass panel 235 (see also Fig. 11) on which are painteddigits 1 to 9, multiples of ten from 10'to 90, and multiples of onehundred from 100 to 400. Beneath each of the digits or units 1 to `9 islocated a lamp 23|, beneath each of the tens'is located a lamp 232, andbeneath each of the hundreds is a lamp 233. As successive hits arescored, appropriate ones of these lamps are lighted to indicate thetotal number of1hits made. As appears in Fig. 11, the lamps are disposedin suitable opaque panel 230e, which is xed in positionabeneath theglass panel 233.

The counter mechanism for 'lighting-successive ones of the unit lamps23| comprises a rotarytype contactor, designated generally as 234 inFigs. 17, 18, 20, 24 and 26. This contactor comprises an uprightinsulating board 235 on which' is mounted a circular series of. contactbuttons 235. There are fifty such contact buttons in all, connected inve similar groups of ten each (see Fig. 26- for connections). Thus, thefirst button in each group of ten vhas no connection; since itcorresponds to the zerosetting of the counter, the next button in eachgroup is connected to the "1 lamp, the'next button to the "2 lamp, etc.A rotary brush 231 is xed to a shaft 238 at the center of theseriesofbuttons 233 andis adapted "it .wi-11 individual recesses in van.

to contact them successively. As the brush. 231l contacts successiveones of the -buttons, 236 it. establishes electric supply connections..to the-corresponding lamps so that they are illuminatedone afteranother.

A ratchet-type of mechanismfis providedior. advancing the rotarycontactor` brush 23.1 step-v by-step as successive hits are made.. Thisratchet mechanism comprises (Fig. 2.0.) la ratchet wheel 239 xed to theshaft 238 and a cooperating. pawl 242. The pawl is pivotally mounted ona lever 24|, being yieldably urged into 'engagement with .the ratchetwheel by a tension spring 242. The lever 24| is pivotally mountedintermediate its ends by a pin 243, and its upper end is pulled to theright (as viewed in Fig."20) byl a tension spring 244, such movementbeing limited by a stop pin 245. The lower end of the lever 24| ispivotally connected to the slidable armature 246 of 'asolenoid 241.Energization of the solenoid 241 swings the lever 24| counterclockwise,and upon subsequent deenergization of the solenoid the spring- 244 pullsthe lever 24| back in a clockwise direc-v tion, with the result that thepawl 240 yadvances the ratchet Wheel 239.

A back-up pawl 248 is provided for the ratchet wheel 239, being urgedinto engagement therewith by a torsion spring 249. The back-up pawlv ispivoted intermediate its ends, its inner-end being engageable With theratchet wheel, and its outer end being pivotally connected to theslidable armature 25|) of a reset solenoid 25|. The inner end of theback-up pawl 248 is also loosely' connected with the actuating pawl 240by a ylug 252;

By virtue of this connection, when the resety solenoid 252 is energized,both of the pawls 240 yand 248 are lifted out of engagement of theratchet Wheel 239 so that the latter can revolve freely` during thereset of the unit counter.

Resettingjof the unit counter is accomplished mechanically uponoperation of the coin slide |80.

For this purpose a star Wheel 253 (Figs. 18 and' 24) "is fixed to theshaft 238 and disposed for engagement by a laterally projecting pin 254onthe'Y root of any one of the interdental spaces on the star wheel inwhich it happens to be.A located,

thereby turning the latter to ay corresponding v iixed angular position.It will be observed that there are ve interdental spaces on the starwheel.' i. e., a number equal to the numberof sets of contact buttons236. The interdental spaceson the star wheelV are so related to theposition of the contact brush `231 and contact buttons 236 that when thestar wheel is positioned by the lever.220 the brush 231 will always beset in one of its zero. positions, or in other words in contact with therstoneof the buttons 236 in one vof thefive groups of such buttons. Itwill thus be. seen .that a very simple and speedy reset for thecontactor. 234, of the funit counter is provided.

The tens counter comprises a rotary contactor 260(Figs. 18, 21, 22 and26) for lighting the tens lamps 232, this contactor being ysomewhatsimilar to that for. the unit counterdef` scribed above.. Thiscontactor. 260. comprises4 ai vertical insulating panel 26| havingthereon a circular series of contact buttons 262. In the presentinstance there are forty such contact buttons arranged in groups of ten,with the rst button in each group unconnected to any lamp, the secondbutton in each group connected to the lamp, the third button connectedto the 20 lamp, etc. A rotary contact brush 263, fixed to a shaft 264,is arranged to engage successive ones of the contact buttons 262.

A pawl and ratchet mechanism (see Fig. 22) is provided for advancing thebrush 263 step-bystep. This pawl and ratchet mechanism is substantiallyidentical with that heretofore described for the unit counter shown inFig. 20, wherefore detailed description of the same is unnecessary. Itis sufficient to note that it comprises a ratchet wheel 265 and anactuating pawl 266, as well as an operating solenoid 261 and a resettingsolenoid 268. In the case of the tens counter a spring return is usedfor resetting the same to zero, rather than a star wheel mechanism, suchas that heretofore described for the unit counter. For this purpose atorsion spring 268 is coiled about a shaft 264, having one end anchoredthereto and the other end slidably held within a stop projection 210 onthe supporting panel 26|. As the rotary contact brush 263 advances, thespring 269 is coiled up about the shaft 264. Thereafter, when the resetsolenoid 268 is energized to release the ratchet wheel 265, the spring269 revolves the shaft 264 in an opposite direction to unwind thespring. Finally, a stop pin 21| on the ratchet wheel engages the springand stops the motion of the ratchet wheel when the contact brush 263 hasbeen restored to its initial zero position.

The hundreds lamps 233 are also supplied with current under the controlof additional contacts on the rotary contacter 268. For this purposefour arcuate contacts 215, one for each of the lamps 233, are providedand are arranged with a blank space 216 between the adjacent ends of thefirst and last ones of these arcuate contacts. A rotary brush 211,revoluble with the brush 263, is arranged to establish contact with thearcuate contacts 21'5. The blank space at 216 corresponds to the zeroposition for the hundreds counter and as the brush 211 revolves it comesinto contact with successive ones of the arcuate contacts 215 therebylighting successive ones of the hundreds lamps 233. The brush 211 is, oicourse, reset to zero position coincidentally with the brush 263 in themanner heretofore described since these two brushes are fixed together.

Rsum of operation Having in mind the foregoing description of thevarious elements of the apparatus, the cycle of operation of the samecan best be followed by reference to the wiring diagram of Fig. 26. Asthere indicated, current is supplied to lines 280 and 28| from a, lineplug 282 connected to a suitable current source, such, for example, asan ordinary 11G-120 volt lighting circuit. Suitable low voltage forcertain instrumentalities in the apparatus is derived from the lines288, 28| by a transformer 283 having a primary winding 284 and a tappedsecondary winding 285. In the present instance 24 volt current isavailable across lines 286, 281 connected to the end terminals'of thesecondary, and 6 volt current across lines 286, 288.

Upon connecting the plug 282 to a source of screen 45.

current, the coin slide lookup solenoid |86 is energized, therebyfreeing the inner slide |88 for operation in conjunction with a coinslide |88 as heretofore described. At the same time the projector lamp84 and scanning lamp |51 are lighted and the transformer 283 isenergized. It is to be observed that the projector motor 15 does notstart since it is open-circuited by the trip relay 28| whose contactsare latched in open position.

vOperation of the machine is initiated by inserting a. coin in the coinslide |88 and momentarily thrusting the latter inward as heretoforedescribed. Sucli actuation of the coin slide thrusts the movablecontacts 289 and 2|| of the trip relay 28| into closed position.coincidentally, the coin slide switch contacts 226-221 are momentarilyclosed and the sets of contacts 224-226 and 228-229 are momentarilyopened. Such closing of the contacts 226-221 energizes the scoringmechanism reset solenoids 25| and286 (through a circuit286-288-226-221-269-25l and 268-281). As was heretofore described theenergization of the reset solenoids 26| and 268 frees the respectiveunit and tens rotary counters for resetting, the unit counter beingthereupon reset by the star wheel mechanism and the "tens counter by itsreset spring 269. The opening of the coin slide switch contacts 228-229open-circuits all of the lamps 25M-233, so that they are extinguishedduring the resetting of the counters.

As the coin slide moves back out to its original position the coin slideswitch contacts 224, 225 reclose, thereby energizing the projector motor'l5 (through a circuit 28|-15-224-225- 298-2I2-2l |-29I-28IJ) At thesame time the reset control contacts 226, 221 of the coin slide switchmechanism are reopened and contacts 228, 229 in the lamp supply circuitare reclosed, the latter making current available from the 6 volt lines286, 288 for the lamps.

With the projector motor 15 thus startedthe moving picture target scenefrom the lm 66 is projected on the screen 45. As heretofore noted, thismay consist of almost numberless subjects such, for example, asairplanes in flight, soldiers moving across the battlefield or, wildanimals prowling through a jungle. The user of the machine has the stockof the gun 4| pressed against his shoulder and has the impression, fromhis View of the gun replica 41, that he actually sees the gun itself inconjunction with the target scene. He swings the gun 4I to aim it(actually to aim the replica 41) at the target image which appears inthe scene projected on the When the operator believes that he hasaccurately aimed the gun at the target image he presses the gun'strigger 48 (Fig. 1) thereby closing the trigger switch H3.

Closure of the trigger switch I |3 (Fig. 26) completes a circuit fromthe 24 volt line 286 to the projector shot switch |45. This latterswitch is periodically closed in timed relation to the operation of theprojector 46, there being one closure of the same for the exposure ofeach two successive pairs of frames `on the film 68. Simultaneousclosure of the switches H3 and |45 connects the actuating winding of thetrigger relay |46 across the 24 volt lines 286-281 thereby energizingthe same so that this relays contacts |462L and |46b are closed. Thepurpose of interposing the projector shot switch |45 in series with thetrigger switch ||3 is twofold. First of all it is de- Sirable. that 1aperiodic switch, timed with the

